Joyeux Noel

David Smith | Friday 5th January, 2007

First up I'd like to wish all Braveheart readers a merry christmas and a happy new year! And for all those of you who race I hope you don't have a cold like I've woken up with this morning...all a bit irritating to say the least especially as things were going so well up till now. I blame my brother who through his excessive drinking antics at university came home for christmas break with the most dire chest infection and promptly continued in his 'student' ways by drinking directly from orange juice/milk cartons despite my repeated threats to 'kick his ass' and the like so it was only a matter of time I guess! Hopefully I'll be able to keep it under control.
 
Anyway, in December as mentioned in my previous entry I had my annual meeting with Neil Walker of Scottish Cycling and Chris Hildrey of the Highland Institute of Sport. I felt it was really productive, I had said I wanted to improve my sprinting for 07' as I've always felt it lets me down a bit. Several times in 06' I had come in in the front group but was never able to capitalise as there was always someone that bit quicker. Neil decided the best plan of action was to do an SRM sprint test at Herriot Watt and from there for the institute to devise a Strength and Conditioning program based on the results. I did the test on December 1st and it went ok to say it was only a baseline, I managed 994watts for the six seconds seated (remember I'm no sprinter) although the speed and strength elements showed both these areas needed work. My S&C program has since been drawn up to improve on these things keeping the reps low and weights high. So far I have really enjoyed it and am into the third week of a five week cycle. Before I go back to France at the end of January I'll do another test and hopefully there will be a good margin of progression.
 
Since getting a laptop for my birthday in July I had been looking forward to finally taking advantage of my powertap. At the start of the month the ever reliable Mark Young managed to procur me a copy of the latest training analysis software 'cyclingpeak WKO+' and I couldn't wait to start using it. Unfortunately in a cruel twist of fate the powertap stopped working after a less than conclusive four rides so it got boxed up and sent to Mark. He since informs me the problem isn't too serious and thinks it is only moisture between the bracket and head unit and that a spot of waterproof grease does the trick. Anyway my plan is to take it to France this time so hopefully in future entries I'll be able to offer some stats from French racing which for me will kick off the weekend of the 10th Feb with the traditional 'Courses au soleil.' For the time being its back to the 'stone age' with my heart rate monitor and 'velonews' training diary combo.
 
Anyway as I'm laid off serious training for a few days I'm planning on scaling a munro tomorrow but at an easy pace! Snow is forcast but hopefully it won't be bad enough to stop us getting to the top. Photos next time...
 
a bientot.